I'm not seing 8.99 ebay ones, and I'm certainly not a specialist on strops having just one. However, my understanding is that pretty much all leather does the same job, as long as the surface is smooth. So if you find a decent looking one on ebay I think it may not be a bad option. That being said, Tony's strops are considered the best and while they do the same job as any decent strop they also look like an extremely well made product, one that you will have great enjoyment of owning, be it just for the added aesthetics.

So if it fits your budget and you value these things you should probably get one of his. And even at the budget starter/travel option you'll get Tony's superb craftsmanship and top quality leather, just minus the trimmings, which in this case are actually not trimmings but extras.